Top-Rated Intimate Ocean Cruise Lines of 2025

A new classification designed to honor the smallest oceangoing vessels, the best intimate-ship ocean cruise lines category recognizes ships with fewer than 150 cabins. Consequently, these petite ships often take travelers to farther-flung and less-frequented ports, from tropical destinations to both poles.

Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships based on various criteria, including cabins and facilities, food, service, itineraries and destinations, excursions and activities, and value. All of these assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines across several categories, including river cruising.

In this year’s ranking, Overseas Adventure Travel secured the second spot, operating in breathtaking destinations such as Patagonia, the Chilean fjords, Antarctica, the Arctic, the Red Sea, and the coast of Italy. One voter noted, “Outstanding crew and great tour leaders.” Following it, Variety Cruises, a Greek-owned line with eight ships, achieved third place, praised by another reader for its “relaxed, very friendly manner.”

French line Ponant, which includes the eco-friendly polar expedition ship Le Commandant Charcot, ranked No. 4. A voter who sailed on L’Austral remarked, “Staff and activities were amazing! The expedition crew hired for Antarctica was unreal!” SeaDream Yacht Club, known for its exceptional service and warm hospitality, rounded out the top five with a score of “beyond compare.” A reader noted, “SeaDream makes you feel like a friend coming back on the boat.”

Below, discover the full list of the best intimate-ship ocean cruise lines and what makes this year’s winner, Quasar, stand out.

1. Quasar Expeditions

“This is one of the most romantic ships in the Galápagos and by far the classiest and most iconic,” wrote a reader who sailed on the historic yacht Grace, given as a wedding gift to Grace Kelly in 1956. The line’s second ship, Evolution, also received significant acclaim. “I highly recommend this company to anyone looking to visit Ecuador and the Galápagos,” remarked another sailor on the 32-passenger ship.

Score: 98.69

More information: quasarex.com

2. Overseas Adventure Travel

Score: 97.17

More information: oattravel.com

3. Variety Cruises

Score: 94.16

More information: varietycruises.com

4. Ponant

Score: 93.59

More: us.ponant.com

5. SeaDream Yacht Club

Score: 92.55

More information: seadream.com

6. Windstar Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 91.83

More information: windstarcruises.com

7. Celebrity Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 91.52

More information: celebritycruises.com

8. Silversea

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 90.89

More information: silversea.com

9. Lindblad Expeditions

Score: 88.96

More information: expeditions.com

10. Alaskan Dream Cruises

Score: 82.97

More information: alaskandreamcruises.com